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Wimbledon 2013: Novak Djokovic will beat Andy Murray in four sets

You can make strong arguments for both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in Sunday's Wimbledon final.

Novak is playing better and has raised his level over the course of his six matches at the All England Club, while he showed his excellent mental state in his incredible semi-final with Juan Martin Del Potro by not getting down on himself when Del Potro saved two match points in the fourth set.

A stretch for Murray: the Brit will meet an improving Djokovic, says Barry

I don't think either man will have an edge physically - Djokovic had a long match, yes, but Murray had an emotional one against Jerzy Janowicz after losing the opening set, slipping 4-1 down in the third and then coming roaring back - but the crowd may give Andy an advantage.

The fans on Centre Court will be 99.9 per cent in favour of the Brit, which wasn't the case in last year's final versus Roger Federer, and I think they will be with him if he loses the first set to Djokovic, something they may not have been if he had fallen behind to a supposed underdog like Del Potro.

Murray will glean huge confidence from his serve, which is now consistently great.

There is also the little matter of destiny as it could now be that the time is right for Andy, having gone so close last year, to win his first Wimbledon and for Britain to have a men's singles champion at SW19 for the first time since Fred Perry in 1936.

Conditions

However, Murray will glean huge confidence from his serve, too, which is now consistently great.

He has had periods before where he serves well for three or four games and then misses three or four first serves in a row - but he has been around 70 per cent for first serves at Wimbledon in recent matches.

That is what, I felt, won him that rip-roaring quarter-final with Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday evening, in which he went two sets down, and it was also key for him as he conquered Janowicz in four on Friday.

I also think Andy might be able to relax in the final and feel more at ease - in the previous two rounds Murray was playing streaky players and was the overwhelming favourite, but as Djokovic is the world number one and the man with more Grand Slam titles, he is expected to win this match.

Murray obviously defeated Novak in the 2012 US Open final but it was very windy that day and Djokovic is not as comfortable in those conditions as he is when it is hot and still, which it looks likely to be on Sunday.

However, I don't think Novak is as great on grass as on a hard court or on clay, while the green stuff is possibly Andy's best surface; his excellent slice keeps low on it and he enjoys the pace of the grass, whereas Djokovic is better on a medium-paced court.

So, who do I expect to win? I have to go for Djokovic in four.

Novak has improved round by round, is world number one, and has six Grand Slam titles in his cabinet as opposed to Andy's one.

Comments (1)

Reno Manne says...

I have to comment on this one by Barry Cowan.
Djokovic showed signs of cracking in that 5th set against Del Potro. He doesn't react well when the crowd favor his opponent or when he can't dictate play. Djokovic is playing at a high level no doubt about it. In the Del Potro match he was incredible in the way he was playing shots on defense and turning them into offensive shots. His speed and movement is incredible. Amazing foot work!
Andy however has shown an ability to turn matches around. A will power and fight we haven't seen from him before. He wants it more than ever. He is much stronger mentally now than I have ever seen him before. He believes he can win this tournament. He knows he can beat Djokovic, he did it in New York at the Open.
Djokovic will react to the crowd urging Murray on point after point. That will be a big factor in this Final...the crowd will play their part. If Murray can get an early lead in the first set Djokovic will become irritated with the crowd all cheering for Murray. That will be when the big points that Djokovic usually plays so well will be played with a little more pressure than he used to.
If Murray starts this match well I can see Andy Murray winning in four sets.
Sorry Barry don't agree with you, this is Andy Murray's year and Tennis is coming home!
All that is left for me to say is simply this."COME ON ANDY"

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